Evolution of Hybrid LiFi–WiFi Networks: A Survey

Given the growing number of devices and their need for internet access, researchers are focusing on integrating various network technologies. Concerning indoor wireless services, a promising approach in this regard is to combine light fidelity (LiFi) and wireless fidelity (WiFi) technologies into a...

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Main Authors: Toni Besjedica, Krešimir Fertalj, Vlatko Lipovac, Ivona Zakarija
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-04-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/9/4252
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author Toni Besjedica
Krešimir Fertalj
Vlatko Lipovac
Ivona Zakarija
author_facet Toni Besjedica
Krešimir Fertalj
Vlatko Lipovac
Ivona Zakarija
author_sort Toni Besjedica
collection DOAJ
description Given the growing number of devices and their need for internet access, researchers are focusing on integrating various network technologies. Concerning indoor wireless services, a promising approach in this regard is to combine light fidelity (LiFi) and wireless fidelity (WiFi) technologies into a hybrid LiFi and WiFi network (HLWNet). Such a network benefits from LiFi’s distinct capability for high-speed data transmission and from the wide radio coverage offered by WiFi technologies. In this paper, we describe the framework for the HWLNet architecture, providing an overview of the handover methods used in HLWNets and presenting the basic architecture of hybrid LiFi/WiFi networks, optimization of cell deployment, relevant modulation schemes, illumination constraints, and backhaul device design. The survey also reviews the performance and recent achievements of HLWNets compared to legacy networks with an emphasis on signal to noise and interference ratio (SINR), spectral and power efficiency, and quality of service (QoS). In addition, user behaviour is discussed, considering interference in a LiFi channel is due to user movement, handover frequency, and load balancing. Furthermore, recent advances in indoor positioning and the security of hybrid networks are presented, and finally, directions of the hybrid network’s evolution in the foreseeable future are discussed.
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spelling doaj.art-fc2f560a366449e08189ab814dda63c22023-11-17T23:41:48ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-04-01239425210.3390/s23094252Evolution of Hybrid LiFi–WiFi Networks: A SurveyToni Besjedica0Krešimir Fertalj1Vlatko Lipovac2Ivona Zakarija3Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Dubrovnik, 20 000 Dubrovnik, CroatiaDepartment of Applied Computing, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, CroatiaDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Dubrovnik, 20 000 Dubrovnik, CroatiaDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Dubrovnik, 20 000 Dubrovnik, CroatiaGiven the growing number of devices and their need for internet access, researchers are focusing on integrating various network technologies. Concerning indoor wireless services, a promising approach in this regard is to combine light fidelity (LiFi) and wireless fidelity (WiFi) technologies into a hybrid LiFi and WiFi network (HLWNet). Such a network benefits from LiFi’s distinct capability for high-speed data transmission and from the wide radio coverage offered by WiFi technologies. In this paper, we describe the framework for the HWLNet architecture, providing an overview of the handover methods used in HLWNets and presenting the basic architecture of hybrid LiFi/WiFi networks, optimization of cell deployment, relevant modulation schemes, illumination constraints, and backhaul device design. The survey also reviews the performance and recent achievements of HLWNets compared to legacy networks with an emphasis on signal to noise and interference ratio (SINR), spectral and power efficiency, and quality of service (QoS). In addition, user behaviour is discussed, considering interference in a LiFi channel is due to user movement, handover frequency, and load balancing. Furthermore, recent advances in indoor positioning and the security of hybrid networks are presented, and finally, directions of the hybrid network’s evolution in the foreseeable future are discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/9/4252light fidelity (LiFi)wireless fidelity (WiFi)visible light communication (VLC)hybrid networkHWLNethandover
spellingShingle Toni Besjedica
Krešimir Fertalj
Vlatko Lipovac
Ivona Zakarija
Evolution of Hybrid LiFi–WiFi Networks: A Survey
Sensors
light fidelity (LiFi)
wireless fidelity (WiFi)
visible light communication (VLC)
hybrid network
HWLNet
handover
title Evolution of Hybrid LiFi–WiFi Networks: A Survey
title_full Evolution of Hybrid LiFi–WiFi Networks: A Survey
title_fullStr Evolution of Hybrid LiFi–WiFi Networks: A Survey
title_full_unstemmed Evolution of Hybrid LiFi–WiFi Networks: A Survey
title_short Evolution of Hybrid LiFi–WiFi Networks: A Survey
title_sort evolution of hybrid lifi wifi networks a survey
topic light fidelity (LiFi)
wireless fidelity (WiFi)
visible light communication (VLC)
hybrid network
HWLNet
handover
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/9/4252
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AT kresimirfertalj evolutionofhybridlifiwifinetworksasurvey
AT vlatkolipovac evolutionofhybridlifiwifinetworksasurvey
AT ivonazakarija evolutionofhybridlifiwifinetworksasurvey